ChatGPT parental controls unveiled by OpenAI, incorporating insights from mental health professionals for user safety and well-being.
OpenAI, the company behind the popular AI chatbot, ChatGPT, has announced a significant expansion in its parental controls, aiming to make the platform safer and more supportive for teenage users. The rollout of these new controls is expected to take place over the next 120 days, with the first phase becoming available within the next month.
The new controls are designed to help recognise and respond to signs of mental and emotional distress. This move comes in response to concerns about the potential harm ChatGPT could cause to vulnerable users, following a lawsuit filed in California by the parents of 16-year-old Adam Raine, who took his own life in April 2025 after consulting ChatGPT for mental health support.
OpenAI has been consulting with mental health professionals as it develops these parental controls. The company's council of experts has been expanded to include mental health professionals with deep expertise in eating disorders, substance use, and adolescent health. This expanded council will advise OpenAI on product development, research, and policy decisions.
The new controls will allow parents to link their accounts with their teen's accounts, control how ChatGPT responds to their teen, manage memory and chat history features, and receive notifications if their child is using the technology in a moment of acute distress. This will provide parents with greater oversight and control over their teen's use of ChatGPT.
OpenAI has also stated that it has seen people turn to ChatGPT in the most difficult of moments. In light of this, the company is continuing to improve how its models recognise and respond to signs of mental and emotional distress, guided by expert input.
The rollout of OpenAI's parental controls is part of a longer process as the company works toward making AI safer and more helpful. The lawsuit against OpenAI has brought attention to the potential risks of AI in mental health support, and OpenAI is taking this opportunity to address these concerns and ensure that ChatGPT is a safe and supportive platform for all users.
